Music can calm the savage beast, or the rebellious toddler
Bedtime can be such a wonderful time of the day. Especially if you are an exhausted parent or caregiver and the baby falls asleep with little or no effort. Does that ever really happen? I've seen it on TV and in movies, but I have yet to experience it in real life.
“Ironically, to my children, bedtime is a punishment that violates their basic rights as human beings. Once the lights are out, you can expect at least an hour of inmates clanging their tin cups on the cell bars."    Â
Jim Gaffigan
As much as I long for sleep, the toddler in my life seems to fear it, as if sleep will eat all their toys while they are sleeping and kill the fun. So I have begun a quest for ways to soothe the small savage soul creating a restful night for all. I have found some strange and interesting things during my search.
Music for Cats Is a Thing
There are more selections to choose for music to "help cats relax" than there are for "babies to go to sleep". Apparently cats have a great deal of anxiety and need very beautiful music to soothe them. This music works on babies too. And I think it's better than "baby music".
Videos to Relax Cats Exist in Great Mass
I found that videos intended to relax toddlers were not relaxing at all. In fact, they made her want to stand up in bed and dance! I was horribly disappointed by this knowledge. However, there are millions of videos to help relax cats. I am amazed to learn that cats are more important than children. I love cats, but you can put a cat in the laundry room and close the door if it's keeping you awake. You cannot do that with a child. So why so much for cats and so little for children? I don't know, but the videos of fish swimming with beautiful music is very nice and relaxing and actually works to put her to sleep. She really loves the bird watching videos too. If she had a tail, I'm sure it would twitch back and forth just as our cats tail does watching the real thing.
Music for Other Animals Exists Too
Who knew?
Music Box Lullabies
Most of the music I found sounded like it was being played by a music box. Although it was too "Pingy" for me, it worked on her. My personal favorite of all the lullabies we have tried so far is the one with ocean sounds too. I personally prefer the sound of just the ocean and just the rain, but she likes the music box lullabies with the ocean accompaniment.
Toys That Sing
There are so many toys that sing. Some of them are wonderful. Some of them are annoying. All of them run out of batteries at the wrong time. My personal favorite that seems to work great until it's batteries fail, has a little woodland scene in 3D with changing colors and 3 modes, music, louder music and only nighttime natural sounds. This last setting is my favorite and works better than the music ones for her as well. It also has a light on the top that projects onto the ceiling 3 little animals that seem to be staring down at you. She likes that but it distracts her so I turn it off whenever she isn't looking. When its batteries begin to die, it sounds like the scary music in a horror flick. I would tell you the name of this toy but it's batteries have run out and I can't remember where I stashed it.
The 80% Perfect System
The system that works best for me is a nice warm snack or drink a little before bedtime, a nice warm bath, reading a few books all snuggled in bed, and that toy, when it's working properly. Routine is paramount, but try as I may, she resists it, and sometimes I wear out before she does. However, when the stars align, and I have worn her out playing during the day, this system works and I am very grateful. I share it freely with parents struggling with the bedtime blues everywhere. I hope it helps. If it doesn't, try the Cat Music.
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